Time for a kidney checkup

With the beginning of Spring also begins the yearly National Kidney Awareness Week.

During the awareness week, the public will be educated on the risks of kidney failure.

National Renal Care's Llolo Masoka said: "We provide replacement therapy for patients with kidney failure. We are now trying to educate the public so that they don't get to that point.

"Most of the people with chronic kidney disease do not know that they are sick."

Masoka said there was a shortage of organs and that was why it was important to educate the public about caring for their kidneys.

"People with diabetes, HIV-Aids, exposure to drugs or a history of renal disease in their families are at a risk of developing kidney diseases.

They can live for years without knowing that they have the disease until their kidneys collapse."

Kidney screenings will be held at various Netcare hospitals countrywide. Glucose, cholesterol, body fat, body mass index, haemoglobin and blood pressure screenings will also be on offer and a registered dietician will be available for advice.